U.S. patent application number 10/262817 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-08 for electroactive polymer actuated heart-lung bypass pumps.
Invention is credited to Banik, Michael S., Couvillon,, Lucien Alfred JR..
Application Number | 20040068220 10/262817 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32041889 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040068220 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Couvillon,, Lucien Alfred JR. ;
et al. |
April 8, 2004 |
Electroactive polymer actuated heart-lung bypass pumps
Abstract
A pump apparatus, which comprises: (a) a tubular portion
comprising an electroactive polymer actuator that expands and
contracts an inner volume of the tubular portion based upon
received control signals; and (b) a control unit electrically
coupled to the electroactive polymer actuator and sending control
signals to the actuator. The pump apparatus can further include at
least one valve that is in fluid communication with the inner
volume of the tubular portion. The pump apparatus can be used, for
example, as a heart-lung bypass pump apparatus. Also disclosed
herein is a method of providing circulatory support for a patent.
The method comprises (a) providing the above pump apparatus; (b)
placing an inlet of the pump apparatus in fluid communication with
the venous side of the patient's vascular system; (c) placing an
outlet of the pump apparatus in fluid communication with the
arterial side of the patient's vascular system; and (d) sending
control signals to the electroactive polymer actuator thereby
pumping blood from the venous side to the arterial side of said
patient's vascular system.
Inventors: |
Couvillon,, Lucien Alfred JR.;
(Concord, MA) ; Banik, Michael S.; (Bolton,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MAYER, FORTKORT & WILLIAMS, PC
251 NORTH AVENUE WEST
2ND FLOOR
WESTFIELD
NJ
07090
US
|
Family ID: |
32041889 |
Appl. No.: |
10/262817 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/6.11 ;
310/363; 417/18; 623/3.27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 43/0054 20130101;
A61M 2205/0283 20130101; F04B 43/084 20130101; A61M 60/892
20210101; A61M 60/896 20210101; A61M 60/50 20210101; A61M 60/00
20210101; A61M 60/40 20210101; A61M 60/268 20210101; A61M 60/894
20210101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/006.11 ;
310/363; 623/003.27; 417/018 |
International
Class: |
A61M 001/10; F04B
049/00; H02N 002/00; H01L 041/18 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A pump apparatus comprising: (a) a tubular portion comprising an
electroactive polymer actuator that expands and contracts at least
a portion of an inner volume of said tubular portion based upon
received control signals; and (b) a control unit electrically
coupled to said actuator and sending said control signals to said
actuator.
2. The pump apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a valve in
fluid communication with said inner volume of said tubular
portion.
3. The pump apparatus of claim 1, further comprising first and
second valves in fluid communication with said inner volume of said
tubular portion, wherein said first valve is disposed between said
tubular portion and an inlet of said pump apparatus and wherein
said second valve is disposed between said tubular portion and an
outlet of said pump apparatus.
4. The pump apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first valve allows
increased fluid flow when said inner volume is expanded and
decreased fluid flow when said inner volume is contracted, and
wherein said second valve allows increased fluid flow when said
inner volume is contracted and decreased fluid flow when said inner
volume is expanded.
5. The pump apparatus of claim 2, wherein said valve is a check
valve.
6. The pump apparatus of claim 2, wherein said valve is a control
valve.
7. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tubular portion
comprises a plurality of electroactive polymer actuators that
expand and contract said at least a portion of said inner volume of
said tubular portion based upon said control signals.
8. The pump apparatus of claim 7, wherein said electroactive
polymer actuators and said control signals are adapted to advance a
region of contracted inner volume along the longitudinal length of
the tubular portion.
9. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electroactive
polymer actuator at least partially wraps around a longitudinal
axis of said tubular portion.
10. The pump apparatus of claim 9, wherein said electroactive
polymer actuator circumferentially wraps around said tubular
portion longitudinal axis.
11. The pump apparatus of claim 9, wherein said electroactive
polymer actuator helically wraps around said tubular portion
longitudinal axis.
12. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pump apparatus
comprises a plurality of tubular portions.
13. The pump apparatus of claim 12, wherein said pump apparatus
comprises n tubular portions and n+1 valves, where n is an integer
greater than or equal to 1.
14. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electroactive
polymer actuator comprises an electroactive polymer region, a
counter-electrode region, and an electrolyte-containing region
disposed between said electroactive polymer region and said
counter-electrode region.
15. The pump apparatus of claim 14, wherein said electroactive
polymer region comprises an electroactive polymer selected from
polyaniline, polypyrrole, polysulfone, and polyacetylene.
16. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electroactive
polymer actuator is disposed between inner and outer walls of said
tubular portion.
17. The pump apparatus of claim 16, wherein said tubular portion
comprises an inner layer, an outer layer, a counter-electrode
region, an electrolyte containing region and a electroactive
polymer region, and wherein said counter-electrode region, said
electrolyte containing region and said electroactive polymer region
are disposed between said inner and outer layers.
18. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control unit
comprises a pulse generator.
19. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control unit
comprises a computer.
20. The pump apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wireless
transceiver coupled to said control unit.
21. The pump apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a sensor
coupled to said control unit.
22. The pump apparatus of claim 21, wherein said sensor is a strain
gauge.
23. The pump apparatus of claim 21, wherein said sensor is a
chemical sensor that measures a detectable chemical species.
24. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pump apparatus is a
bypass pump apparatus.
25. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein said control unit
comprises a battery.
26. A method of providing circulatory support for a patent
comprising: providing the bypass pump apparatus of claim 24;
placing an inlet of said pump apparatus in fluid communication with
the venous side of said patient's vascular system; placing an
outlet of said pump apparatus in fluid communication with the
arterial side of said patient's vascular system; and sending said
control signals to said electroactive polymer actuator thereby
pumping blood from the venous side to the arterial side of said
patient's vascular system.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein said control signals comprise a
wave having a predetermined frequency and amplitude.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the frequency, the amplitude,
or both the frequency and amplitude of the wave are manually set by
a human operator.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the form of the wave is
determined by a computer.
30. The method of claim 27, wherein the form of the wave is
determined by a computer based on a patient sensor input.
31. The method of claim 26, wherein said pump apparatus comprises a
series of electroactive polymer actuators, and wherein said control
signals sequentially actuate said series of electroactive polymer
actuators such that a region of contracted inner volume is advanced
along the longitudinal length of the tubular portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to heart-lung bypass pumps and
more particularly to heart-lung bypass pumps that are driven by
electroactive-polymer based actuators.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Bypass pumps are put into medical use in instances where a
patient requires circulatory support. For example, bypass pumps are
widely used in heart surgery to support blood flow while the
surgeon repairs heart chambers, heart valves, coronary vessels and
so forth. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is a common
example of such surgery.
[0003] During a typical bypass surgical procedure,
cannulas/catheters inserted into the patient's venous and arterial
circulations are connected via tubing sets to an oxygenator and
pump console. The pump console is typically based upon a
roller-type pump. Unfortunately, roller type pumps suffer from a
number of disadvantages, for example: (a) the squeezing of the
tubing in the roller causes hemolysis, which is detrimental to the
patient, (b) setup and sterilization of the complex
pump-tubing-oxygenator system, and particularly of the roller-type
pump, is time-consuming and expensive, typically involving
specialized operating room perfusionist staff, (c) roller pump
consoles are big, occupying a large amount of space in an already
crowded operating room, (d) the priming volume of roller-pump
systems is large; (e) priming with saline causes hemodilution and
anemia, while priming with blood involves the risks that are
attendant with transfusion, and (f) unlike the heart, roller pumps
deliver a pulseless flow.
[0004] Many or the above and other disadvantages of the prior art
are addressed by the bypass pumps of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to novel bypass pumps in
which flow is achieved using one or more electroactive polymer
actuators.
[0006] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a pump
apparatus is provided which comprises: (a) a tubular portion
including an electroactive polymer actuator that expands and
contracts an inner volume of the tubular portion based upon
received control signals; and (b) a control unit electrically
coupled to the electroactive polymer actuator and sending the
control signals to the actuator. The pump apparatus of the present
invention can be, for example, a bypass pump apparatus.
[0007] In some embodiments, the pump apparatus of the present
invention further includes at least one valve that is in fluid
communication with the inner volume of the tubular portion. For
example, the pump apparatus can further include first and second
valves in fluid communication with the inner volume of the tubular
portion, in which the first valve is disposed between the tubular
portion and an inlet of the pump apparatus and in which the second
valve is disposed between the tubular portion and an outlet of the
pump apparatus. The first valve typically allows increased fluid
flow when the inner volume is expanded and decreased fluid flow
when the inner volume is contracted, while the second valve allows
increased fluid flow when the inner volume is contracted and
decreased fluid flow when the inner volume is expanded. Valves
having such fluid flow characteristics include check valves and
control valves.
[0008] In some embodiments, the tubular portion will comprise two
or more of the electroactive polymer actuators.
[0009] In some embodiments, the pump apparatus will comprise a
plurality of tubular portions. In certain embodiments, the pump
apparatus will comprise n tubular portions and n+1 valves, where is
an integer greater than or equal to 1.
[0010] To provide the desired expansion and contraction of the
inner volume of the tubular portion, the electroactive polymer
actuator can be disposed such that it at least partially surrounds
(i.e., wraps around) the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion.
For example, the electroactive polymer actuator can
circumferentially surround the longitudinal axis of the tubular
portion (e.g. it can be provided in the form of a band). As another
example, the electroactive polymer actuator can surround the
longitudinal axis of the tubular portion in the form of a
helix.
[0011] In some embodiments, the electroactive polymer actuator will
comprise an electroactive polymer region, a counter-electrode
region, and an electrolyte-containing region disposed between the
electroactive polymer region and the counter-electrode region. In
certain embodiments, the electroactive polymer actuator is disposed
between and inner and outer walls of the tubular portion. For
example, the tubular portion can comprise a counter-electrode
region, an electrolyte containing region and an electroactive
polymer region, all disposed between inner and outer layers, which
can be elastomeric polymer layers. The tubular portion also
beneficially contains inner and outer passivation layers as
well.
[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of providing circulatory support for a patent is provided.
The method comprises (a) providing the above pump apparatus; (b)
placing the inlet of the pump apparatus in fluid communication with
the venous side of the patient's vascular system; (c) placing the
outlet of the pump apparatus in fluid communication with the
arterial side of the patient's vascular system; and (d) sending the
control signals to the electroactive polymer actuator thereby
pumping blood from the venous side to the arterial side of the
patient's vascular system.
[0013] In some embodiments, the control signals will be in the form
of a wave having predetermined characteristics, for example, a
characteristic frequency and amplitude. For example, the
characteristics of the wave (e.g., the frequency, the amplitude, or
both) can be set by a human operator or can be determined by a
computer program, for example, based on at least one physiological
patient sensor input.
[0014] In some embodiments, the control signals will sequentially
actuate a series of electroactive polymer actuators such that a
region of contracted inner volume is advanced along the
longitudinal length of the tubular portion.
[0015] One advantage of the bypass pumps of the present invention
is that a pumping system can be provided, which has a significantly
lower priming volume than prior art pumping systems that are based
on roller pumps. For example, because the pump can be configured as
an in-line tube, the tubing ends can be directly connected to the
input (e.g., venous) and exit (e.g., arterial) vessels, creating a
minimally invasive, low volume, temporary bypass device. Moreover,
priming volume in the bypass pumps of the present invention can be
further reduced by priming the tubing system in its constricted
state.
[0016] Another advantage of the bypass pumps of the present
invention is that hemolysis is typically low, because there is
little or no squeezing damage to blood cells as in prior art prior
art roller pump systems.
[0017] Yet another advantage of the bypass pumps of the present
invention is their potential for low cost. Because the bypass pumps
of the present invention are relatively simple, they can be
manufactured at relatively low cost, allowing them to be provided
in a pre-assembled, sealed, "plug-and-play" format, ready for use
in the operating room with minimum inventory and storage space.
[0018] Moreover, the bypass pumps of the present invention can free
up space that is normally occupied next to the operating table by a
roller pump, console. For example, due to their small size, the
bypass pumps of the present invention can be hung, along with an
oxygenator, from an IV stand upon or next to the operating
table.
[0019] Yet another advantage of the bypass pumps of the present
invention is their ability to provide pulsed output, which can be
tailored to appropriate physiologic conditions associated with the
systole and diastole of the heart.
[0020] These and other embodiments and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description, and the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way
of example the features of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a prior art
electroactive polymer actuator useful in connection with certain
embodiments of the present invention.
[0022] FIGS. 2A and 2B are partial, schematic, perspective views
illustrating the expansion and contraction of an interior volume of
a tubular portion of a bypass pump, according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0023] FIGS. 3A and 3B are partial, schematic, cross-sectional
views illustrating the operation of a bypass pump in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIGS. 4A-4C are partial, schematic, perspective views
illustrating the disposition of electroactive polymer actuators
within a tubular portion of a bypass pump in accordance with
various embodiments of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 5A is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a tubular
portion of a bypass pump in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5B is a schematic cross-sectional view of an
electroactive polymer actuator, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a bypass procedure utilizing a
bypass pump apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary bypass pump in block diagram
format in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIGS. 8A and 8B are partial, schematic, cross-sectional
views illustrating the operation of a bypass pump in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIGS. 9A-9C are partial, schematic, perspective views
illustrating the advancement of a contracted inner volume along the
longitudinal length of a tubular portion containing a series of
ring shaped electroactive polymer actuators, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
several embodiments of the present invention are shown. This
invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should
not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein.
[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
bypass pump is provided, which is made from tubing that constricts
and expands based on electronic control of one or more
electroactive polymer actuators. Although various bypass pumps are
described in detail herein, the pumps of the present invention are
also useful for other applications in which a sealed system is
desired, besides bypass applications. Movement of hazardous
materials is one specific example.
[0033] Actuators based on electroactive polymers are preferred for
the practice of the present invention, for example, due to their
small size, large force and strain, low cost and ease of
integration into the infusion pumps of the present invention.
[0034] Electroactive polymers, members of the family of plastics
referred to as "conducting polymers," are a class of polymers
characterized by their ability to change shape in response to
electrical stimulation. They typically structurally feature a
conjugated backbone and have the ability to increase electrical
conductivity under oxidation or reduction. Some common
electroactive polymers are polyaniline, polysulfone, polypyrrole
and polyacetylene. Polypyrrole is pictured below: 1
[0035] These materials are typically semi-conductors in their pure
form. However, upon oxidation or reduction of the polymer,
conductivity is increased. The oxidation or reduction leads to a
charge imbalance that, in turn, results in a flow of ions into the
material in order to balance charge. These ions, or dopants, enter
the polymer from an ionically conductive electrolyte medium that is
coupled to the polymer surface. The electrolyte may be, for
example, a gel, a solid, or a liquid. If ions are already present
in the polymer when it is oxidized or reduced, they may exit the
polymer.
[0036] It is well known that dimensional changes may be effectuated
in certain conducting polymers by the mass transfer of ions into or
out of the polymer. For example, in some conducting polymers,
expansion is due to ion insertion between chains, whereas in others
inter-chain repulsion is the dominant effect. Regardless of the
mechanism, the mass transfer of ions into and out of the material
leads to an expansion or contraction of the polymer.
[0037] Currently, linear and volumetric dimensional changes on the
order of 25% are possible. The stress arising from the dimensional
change can be on the order of 3 MPa, far exceeding that exerted by
smooth muscle cells, allowing substantial forces to be exerted by
actuators having very small cross-sections. These characteristics
are ideal for construction of the bypass pumps of the present
invention.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 1, taken from U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,076,
an electroactive polymer actuator 10 is shown schematically in
cross-section. Active member 12 of actuator 10 has a surface
coupled with electrolyte 14 and has a longitudinal axis 11. Active
member 12 includes an electroactive polymer that contracts or
expands in response to the flow of ions out of, or into, the active
member 12. Ions are provided by electrolyte 14, which adjoins
member 12 over at least a portion, and up to the entirety, of the
surface of active member 12 in order to allow for the flow of ions
between the two media.
[0039] Many geometries are available for the relative disposition
of member 12 and electrolyte 14. In accordance with some
embodiments of the invention, member 12 may be a film, a fiber, a
group of fibers, or a combination of multiple films and fibers
disposed so as to act collectively to apply a tensile force in a
longitudinal direction substantially along axis 11 in this
instance. The fibers may be bundled or distributed within the
electrolyte 14.
[0040] Active member 12 includes an electroactive polymer. Many
electroactive polymers having desirable tensile properties are
known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. In accordance with
some embodiments of the invention, active member 12 can be a
polypyrrole film. Such a polypyrrole film may be synthesized, for
example, by electrodeposition according to the method described by
M. Yamaura et al., "Enhancement of Electrical Conductivity of
Polypyrrole Film by Stretching: Counter-on Effect," Synthetic
Metals, vol. 36, pp. 209-224 (1988), which is incorporated herein
by reference. In addition to polypyrrole, any conducting polymer
that exhibits contractile or expansile properties may be used
within the scope of the invention. Polyaniline, polysulfone,
polyacetylene are examples.
[0041] Electrolyte 14 may be, for example, a liquid, a gel, or a
solid, so long as ion movement is allowed. Moreover, where the
electrolyte 14 is a solid, it will typically move with the active
member 12 and will typically not be subject to delamination. Where
the electrolyte 14 is a gel, it may be, for example, an agar or
polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) gel containing a salt dopant. Where
the electrolyte is a liquid, it may be, for example, a phosphate
buffer solution, KCl, NaCl and so forth. The electrolyte may be
non-toxic in the event that a leak inadvertently occurs in
vivo.
[0042] Counter electrode 18 is in electrical contact with
electrolyte 14 in order to provide a return path for charge to a
source 20 of potential difference between member 12 and electrolyte
14. Counter electrode 18 may be any suitable electrical conductor,
for example, another conducting polymer, a conducting polymer gel,
or a metal such as gold or platinum. Counter electrode 18 can be,
for example, in wire or film form and can be applied, for example,
by electroplating, chemical deposition, or printing. In order to
activate actuator 10, a current is passed between active member 12
and counter electrode 18, inducing contraction or expansion of
member 12. Additionally, the actuator may have a flexible skin for
separating the electrolyte from an ambient environment.
[0043] The actuators can be provided in an essentially infinite
array of configurations as desired, including planar actuator
configurations (e.g., with planar active members and
counter-electrodes), cylindrical actuator configurations (e.g., see
the actuator illustrated in FIG. 1, which is illustrated as having
a cylindrical active member and wire coil counter electrode), and
so forth.
[0044] Additional information regarding the construction of
actuators, their design considerations, and the materials and
components that may be employed therein, can be found, for example,
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,249,076, assigned to Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, and in Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 4329 (2001)
entitled "Smart Structures and Materials 2001: Electroactive
Polymer and Actuator Devices (see, in particular, Madden et al,
"Polypyrrole actuators: modeling and performance," at pp. 72-83),
both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
[0045] In some embodiments, the bypass pumps of the present
invention contain at least one tubular portion, which has an inner
volume that is expanded and contracted using one or more
electroactive polymer actuators. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate partial
schematic views of a tubular portion 215 in expanded and contracted
states in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
By providing one or more electroactive polymer actuators (not
shown) upon or within the wall of the tubular portion, the inner
volume of the tubular member V can be contracted or expanded upon
application of appropriate control signals from a control unit (not
shown). Typically, the inner volume of the tubular member V is
contracted upon contraction of the actuators(s), while the inner
volume of the tubular member V is expanded upon expansion of the
actuators(s). As discussed in more detail below, in addition to one
or more tubular portions 215, the bypass pumps of the present
invention can also be provided with one or more valves to reduce
backflow.
[0046] Advancement of fluid through a bypass pump in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 8A and 8B. In FIG. 8A, a control signal is sent to one or
more electroactive polymer actuators (not shown) within tubular
portion 215 such that chamber A (which corresponds to the internal
volume of tubular portion 215) is expanded. Due to the directional
orientation of check valve 216 in FIG. 8A (which is schematically
illustrated as a duckbill check valve), no fluid flow occurs from
the right through the check valve into chamber A. Instead, fluid
can only flow from the left to as indicated by the arrow in FIG.
8A. Upon contraction of chamber A as illustrated in FIG. 8B, on the
other hand, fluid does flow from left to right through the check
valve. Although no check valve is provided to the left of tubular
portion 215, due to the presence of check valve 216, the net fluid
flow over multiple expansion and contraction cycles will be will be
to the right.
[0047] Advancement of fluid through a bypass pump in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 3A and 3B. In FIG. 3A, control signals are sent to
electroactive polymer actuators (not shown) within tubular portions
215a, 215b and 215c, such that chambers A and C (which correspond
to the internal volume of tubular portions 215a and 215c) are
contracted, while chamber B (which corresponds to the internal
volume of tubular portion 215b) is expanded. Due to the directional
orientation of check valve 216a in FIG. 3A (which is schematically
illustrated as a duckbill check valve), upon contraction of chamber
A and expansion of chamber B, fluid flows from chamber A through
valve 216a to chamber B as shown. However, the directional
orientation of the check valve 216b serves to prevent an analogous
current flow from chamber C to chamber B when chamber C is
contracted and chamber B is expanded.
[0048] Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, control signals are
provided to expand chambers A and C and to contract chamber B. Due
to the directional orientation of the check valve 216b, upon
contraction of chamber B and expansion of chamber C, fluid flows
from chamber B through valve 216b to chamber C as shown. However,
an analogous current flow does not occur from chamber B to chamber
A upon contraction of chamber B and expansion of chamber A, due to
the directional orientation of the check valve 216a. In this way, a
bolus of fluid is advanced from chamber A to chamber B to chamber
C.
[0049] Because the flow provided by the bypass pumps of the present
invention is peristaltic and pulsatile, it can be tailored to mimic
the systole and diastole of the heart, and for this reason is
believed to have physiological benefits that not obtained with
prior art, constant flow bypass pumps. Such physiological benefits
would likely increase with increasing bypass duration, for example,
as in long-term extracorporeal oxygenation for lung disease.
[0050] Pumps designed in accordance with the present invention can
have a valve provided at each end of each contactable and
expandable tubular portion. Thus, where one tubular portion is
selected, two valves may be employed; where two tubular portions
are selected, three valves may be employed; and so forth. More
generally, where n tubular portions are selected, n+1 valves may be
employed, wherein n is an integer of one or more.
[0051] In some modes of operation, alternating tubular portions are
operated in synchronicity. As a specific example, at a time when
the 1.sup.st, 3.sup.rd, 5.sup.th, etc. tubular portions are
simultaneously contracted, the 2.sup.nd, 4.sup.th, 6.sup.th, etc.
tubular portions can be simultaneously expanded, and vice versa. In
general, the odd numbered tubular portions (within a sequence of
tubular portions separated by valves) can be operated in a fashion
that is out of phase (up to and including 180 degrees out of phase)
with the operation of the even numbered tubular portions.
[0052] A wide variety of valves, including check valves and control
valves, can be used in connection with the present invention.
[0053] Check valves are valves that allow fluid to flow in a one
direction, while closing to prevent backflow in the opposite
direction. Examples include the duckbill check valves described
above as well as poppet check valves, umbrella check valves, swing
check valves, tilting disk check valves, spring loaded check
valves, wafer check valves, leaflet valves and so forth.
[0054] Control valves are valves that regulate fluid flow in
response to a control signal, for example, using electrical or
hydraulic actuators. Control valves are available which use a
number of actuated valving elements, for example, ball, cone,
sleeve, poppet, rotary spool or sliding spool valving elements.
Control valves can also be employed that utilize electroactive
polymer actuators to control fluid flow. For example,
electroative-polymer-constricted tubing can act as a control
valve.
[0055] In other embodiments the pump is valveless. Valveless
operation can be achieved, for example, by moving a contracted site
along the length of the tubular potion. As a specific example, a
series of closely spaced circumferentially wrapped electroactive
polymer actuators can be provided within a tubular portion. During
operation, the actuators can be sequentially contracted, resulting
in movement of a contracted site of near-occlusion along the length
of the tubular potion. This is illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9C.
Referring now to FIG. 9A, a first actuator is activated, resulting
in a first contracted region 219a within tubular portion 215.
Subsequently, another actuator is activated, resulting in a second
contracted region 219b within tubular portion 215 (see FIG. 9B),
followed by activation of yet another actuator resulting in a third
contracted region 219c within tubular portion 215 (see FIG. 9C). By
spacing the actuators sufficiently closely to one another, the
overall effect is the advancement of a contracted region along the
length of the tubular region. Multiple contracted regions can be
concurrently advanced with suitable intervals between the
contracted regions, resulting in a pulsed output from the tubular
portion.
[0056] Similar effects can be achieved, for example, by actuating a
series of short segments containing multiple actuators (e.g., a
short segment of two helices with counter-opposed wrapping).
Similar effects can also be achieved, for example, by a series of
closely spaced helices, all having the same helical angle and sense
of rotation. This arrangement would result in the apparent
advancement of a helical contracted region along the length of the
tubular portion.
[0057] The precise configuration of the electroactive polymer
actuator(s) within the tubular portion(s) of the bypass pumps of
the present invention is unimportant so long as the internal volume
of the tubular portion can be contracted and expanded as desired
upon providing appropriate electrical signals to the electroactive
polymer actuators.
[0058] In some embodiments, the electroactive polymer actuators are
at least partially wrapped around or integrated within an elastic
tubular member. Two particular configurations are illustrated
schematically in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In FIG. 4A, electroactive polymer
actuators 211 are circumferentially wrapped around a tubular member
215. In FIG. 4B, two electroactive polymer actuators 211 are
helically wrapped around a tubular member 215. The two helices 211
have the same sense of rotational direction. As defined herein a
"helix" is a curve that is formed by a straight line drawn upon a
plane when that plane is wrapped around a cylinder. Helices have
helical angles that lie between 0 degrees (i.e., circumferential
rotation around the axis of the cylinder, but no advancement along
the length of the cylinder) and 90 degrees (i.e., advancement along
the length of the cylinder, but no circumferential rotation). In
other embodiments, braided electroactive polymer actuators are
provided in connection with the tubular portion 215. For example,
two helices with opposite senses of rotational direction (see,
e.g., the electroactive polymer actuators 211 of FIG. 4C) can be
employed to provide a simple braided structure. Other more complex
braided structures can also be beneficially employed.
[0059] FIG. 5A illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a
tubular portion 215, in which sixteen electroactive polymer
actuators 211 are provided between an outer tubular layer 205 and
an inner tubular layer 206. Although not illustrated, the actuators
are helically wrapped around the inner tubular layer 205 in this
particular embodiment.
[0060] The outer and inner layers 205, 206 that are employed can be
selected from a number of flexible materials and can be formed from
one or more polymeric materials. Polymeric materials useful in the
construction of the outer and inner layers 205, 206 include the
following: polyolefins such as metallocene catalyzed polyethylenes,
polypropylenes, and polybutylenes and copolymers thereof; ethylenic
polymers such as polystyrene; ethylenic copolymers such as ethylene
vinyl acetate (EVA), butadiene-styrene copolymers and copolymers of
ethylene with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid; polyacetals;
chloropolymers such as polyvinylchloride (PVC); fluoropolymers such
as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE); polyesters such as polyethylene
terephthalate (PET); polyester-ethers; polysulfones; polyamides
such as nylon 6 and nylon 6,6; polyamide ethers such as polyether
block amides; polyethers; elastomers such as elastomeric
polyurethanes and polyurethane copolymers; silicones;
polycarbonates; polychloroprene; nitrile rubber; butyl rubber;
polysulfide rubber; cis-1,4-polyisoprene; ethylene propylene
terpolymers; as well as mixtures and block or random copolymers of
any of the foregoing are examples of polymers useful for
manufacturing the medical devices of the present invention.
Elastomeric polymeric materials can be used for the construction of
the outer and inner layers 205, 206.
[0061] As a specific example, the outer and inner layers 205, 206
can comprise urethane or silicone polymers. An inner coating for
compatible blood contact (not illustrated) may also be provided on
an inner surface of inner layer 206 as is known in the art, if
desired.
[0062] Numerous design choices are available for the electroactive
polymer actuators that are used in the pumps of the present
invention. As an example, the electroactive polymer actuators
(e.g., the electroactive polymer actuators 211 of FIGS. 4A, 4B and
5A) can be of a design like that discussed above in connection with
FIG. 1 which, as previously discussed, includes an active member 12
(which is illustrated in the form of a cylinder in FIG. 1),
electrolyte 14 and a counter-electrode 18 (which is illustrated in
the form of a coil in FIG. 1).
[0063] Another electroactive polymer actuator 211 design is
schematically illustrated in cross-section in FIG. 5B. As seen in
this figure, the internal elements of the actuator 211 are
surrounded by a barrier region 217, which can be an elastomeric
non-reactive material selected, for example, from the list of
polymer materials provided above.
[0064] The actuator includes an active region 212, which comprises
an electroactive polymer as previously discussed. Polypyrrole,
polysulfone, polyacetylene and polyaniline are specific examples of
electroactive polymers. In the embodiment illustrated, the active
region 212 is further provided with a conductive electrical contact
213 to enhance electrical contact with the control unit. The
conductive electrical contact 213 may be formed from any suitable
electrical conductor, for example, a metal such as gold or
platinum. The conductive electrical contact 213 can be, for
example, in wire or film form and can be applied, for example, by
electroplating, chemical deposition, or printing.
[0065] A counter-electrode 218 is also included. As above, the
counter-electrode 218 can be formed from any suitable electrical
conductor, for example, a metal such as gold or platinum. The
counter-electrode 118 can be, for example, in wire or film form and
can be applied, for example, by electroplating, chemical
deposition, or printing.
[0066] An electrolyte-containing region 214 is provided adjacent
the active region 212 and the counter-electrode 218, and can be,
for example, a liquid, a gel, or a solid electrolyte layer, as
discussed above. It is beneficial that the active region 212 avoid
contact with the counter-electrode 218 to prevent short-circuiting.
The characteristics of the electrolyte that is selected may
inherently prevent such contact from occurring, particularly in the
case of a solid electrolyte. If not, for example, where a liquid or
non-robust gel is used as an electrolyte, additional measures may
be taken to keep the active region 212 from contacting the
counter-electrode 218. For example, a series of insulating material
spacers with interstitial electrolyte can be placed between the
active region 212 and the counter-electrode 218. Similarly,
electrolyte may be provided within pores or perforations of an
insulating material layer or within the interstices of a woven
layer or mesh of insulating material to prevent short-circuiting.
Suitable insulating materials include insulating polymers,
including those listed above. PTFE is one specific example.
[0067] Layered structures like that illustrated in FIG. 5B are
efficient from a manufacturing perspective and can be formed by
numerous techniques. For example, a layer of barrier material 217
can be provided, after which layers of material corresponding to
the active region contact 213, the active region 212, the
electrolyte-containing region 214 and the counter-electrode 218,
respectively, are applied. Finally, an additional layer of layer of
barrier material 217 is provided over the entire structure to
provide the structure of FIG. 5B.
[0068] In another example, a first composite stack is formed by
depositing, on a first layer barrier material 217, layers of
material that correspond to the active region contact 213 and the
active region 212. At the same time, a second composite stack is
formed depositing a layer of material corresponding to the
counter-electrode 218 on a second layer of barrier material 217. An
electrolyte-containing layer 214 is then laminated between the
first and second composite stacks to provide the structure of FIG.
5B.
[0069] Myriad configurations are possible. Referring again to FIG.
5A, in another embodiment, the various elements of the
electroactive polymer actuators (e.g., counter-electrode,
electrolyte-containing region, active region, as well as an active
region contact, if desired) can be applied to a substrate sheet
that corresponds to outer layer 205. This structure is subsequently
wrapped around inner layer 206 to form the tubular portion
shown.
[0070] In yet another embodiment, layers of material that
correspond to the active region contact, if desired, and the active
region are deposited on a substrate sheet corresponding to outer
layer 206. A layer of material corresponding to the
counter-electrode is deposited on a substrate sheet corresponding
to inner layer 205. An electrolyte-containing layer is then
laminated between these sheets, and the resulting composite
structure rolled into the shape of tube.
[0071] These latter embodiments allow interconnect wiring to be
deposited on the substrate sheets, simplifying electrical
connection between the various electroactive polymer actuators.
[0072] During operation, a control unit can be used to apply an
appropriate potential between the active regions and the
counter-electrode layers of the actuators. In general, by applying
a sufficient potential difference of a first polarity, the
electroactive polymer active regions will contract, decreasing the
internal volume of the tubular portion. By applying a sufficient
potential difference having an opposite polarity, on the other
hand, the electroactive polymer active regions will expand,
increasing the internal volume of the tubular portion.
[0073] In some embodiments of the invention (e.g., the embodiments
having n tubular portions and n+1 valves discussed above), all of
the active layers within a given tubular portion may be shorted to
one another, as can all of the counter-electrode layers, allowing
all of the actuators within that particular tubular portion to
simultaneously expand and contract. Where multiple (i.e., three or
more) tubular portions are utilized, it may be desirable to short
together all of the active layers (and counter-electrode layers)
within alternating tubular portions, allowing the actuators within
the alternating tubular portions to simultaneously expand and
contract.
[0074] Strain gauges can be employed to provide electronic feedback
concerning the degree of contraction of the tubular portion(s) of
the bypass pump. This electronic feedback will also provide a
number of additional advantages, including closed-loop feedback
control based on pressure, compensation for physiologic changes,
greater stability, error correction, and immunity from drift.
Strain gauges suitable for use in the present invention include (a)
feedback electroactive polymer elements whose impedance or
resistance varies as a function of the amount of strain in the
device, (b) linear displacement transducers (e.g., an iron slug
slidably positioned in the core of a coil) and (c) conventional
strain gauges in which the resistance of the device varies as a
function of the amount of strain in the device, thus allowing the
amount of strain to be readily quantified and monitored. Such
strain gauges are commercially available from a number of different
sources, including National Instruments Co., Austin, Tex., and
include piezoresistive strain gauges (for which resistance varies
nonlinearly with strain) and bonded metallic strain gauges (for
which resistance typically varies linearly with strain).
[0075] The bypass pumps of the present invention can be used in
essentially any medical procedure in which circulatory support of a
patient is desired. Many bypass circuit arrangements are known in
the art and are selected, for example, depending upon the
preference of the attending physician and the particular procedure
that is performed. For instance, although a venous cannula (or
catheter) is placed in the femoral vein in the example to follow,
it can also be placed, for example, in the right atrium, the
superior/inferior vena cava, or the left atrium (e.g., for a left
ventricle-aortal bypass, using the patient's lungs from
oxygenation). Similarly, although an arterial cannula (or catheter)
is placed in the femoral artery in the example to follow, it can
also be placed, for example, in the ascending aorta or in the
pulmonary artery (e.g., for right heart bypass, using the patient's
lungs from oxygenation).
[0076] A specific bypass circuit (specifically, a femoral-femoral
bypass circuit) can be provided as illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein a
femoral venous cannula allows blood to be withdrawn via a femoral
vein 240. A femoral arterial cannula allows the return of blood to
the femoral artery 242 to achieve femoral-femoral total
extracorporeal circulation. Control signals are provided to
actuators in the tubular portions 215 via control cables 251 from
control unit 250 to provide flow as previously described.
[0077] The bypass circuit illustrated further includes an
oxygenator 248. Oxygenators are well known in the art. Two common
types of oxygenators are bubble oxygenators and membrane
oxygenators. With bubble oxygenators, gas bubbles containing oxygen
are introduced directly into the blood. Usually, a defoamer is
employed to remove gas bubbles from the blood following bubble
oxygenation. Examples of bubble oxygenators are disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,374,088 and 4,637,917, the disclosures of which are
hereby incorporated by reference. With membrane oxygenators, oxygen
passes along one side of a permeable membrane and blood along the
other. The permeable membrane has a sufficient pore size such that
oxygen molecules pass through the membrane to be diffused into the
blood as dissolved oxygen. However, the pores are sufficiently
small such that blood cannot flow to the oxygen side. Examples of
the use of a microporous membrane sheet to oxygenate blood where
blood flows along one side of a membrane sheet and oxygen along the
other are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,451,562 and 4,424,190, the
disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Bundles
of hollow fiber membrane tubes may also be used, where oxygen
passes through the hollows of the tubes and blood flows along the
outside of the tubes. Hollow tube membrane oxygenators are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,948,560, Re. 33,932, 4,639,353, and
6,001,306, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0078] The bypass pumps of the present invention can be provided
with modular fittings or quick-connects to facilitate connections
with arterial or venous cannulas or catheters,
[0079] Moreover, embolic protection filters, as well as various
additional art-known bypass pump accessories, can be employed in
connection with the bypass pumps of the present invention.
[0080] The waveform of the control signals sent from the control
unit to the electroactive polymer actuators can be based on a wide
variety of criteria. For example, the control signals can simply
consist of one or more simple sinusoidal or square waveforms of
predetermined frequency and amplitude. Alternatively, the control
signal can be provided based on a look-up table that is stored to
the memory of a computer. The waveform of the control signals can
also be regulated based on feedback from one or more physiological
sensor inputs over time, including arterial pressure or flow,
venous pressure or flow, pO.sub.2, pH, pCO.sub.2, EKG, and so
forth. For instance, the waveform of the control signals can be
determined from a look-up table, based on input from one or more of
the above physiological sensors.
[0081] Numerous control unit configurations are readily available
in the electronics art. For example, control signals can be
generated using one or more function/pulse generators as a control
unit. As another example, control signals can be generated by
computer (e.g., a personal computer equipped with an electronic
interface and drivers), based on stored program, which can take
into account inputs from physiological sensors as discussed above.
Additional control unit configurations will become readily apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0082] In some embodiments of the present invention, the size of
the control unit can be reduced by sending control data (e.g.,
waveform data) over a wireless communications interface.
Inexpensive wireless interfaces are presently available from a
number of sources, including Bluetooth.TM. wireless interfaces
available from Motorola and IEEE 802.5B wireless interfaces
available, for example, from Cisco, Apple and Lucent. For example,
a wireless interface associated with a remote computer (e.g., a
computer placed elsewhere in the operating room) can send waveform
data to a companion wireless interface, which constitutes part of
the pump apparatus. The received waveform data can then be routed
to drivers, which power the actuators within the pump.
[0083] FIG. 7 is a simplified electrical schematic diagram of a
bypass pump apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. As previously discussed, the bypass pump
contains one or more electroactive polymer actuators 211. The pump
illustrated in FIG. 7 also includes one or more control valves 216
and one or more sensors 266 (e.g., strain gauges and/or
physiological sensors). A control unit 250, for example a computer
equipped with an electronic interface and drivers: (a) provides an
appropriate signal or signals to expand and contract the actuators
211, (b) provides an appropriate signal or signals to open or close
the control valve as required, and (c) collects information from
the sensors 266 (e.g., by measuring the impedance, voltage, etc.
associated with the sensors 266). Control unit 150 is also provided
with a source of power. Depending on the procedure time and/or the
volume of the blood to be moved, a battery can be used as a source
for power. Such power sources have utility, for example, in
emergency field surgery and bridge to surgery applications.
[0084] Control of the pump in FIG. 7 is implemented remotely via a
computer, which as is typical, contains components for control and
user interface 262. Data is exchanged with the control unit 250 of
the bypass pump via a wireless communication interface. Wireless
interface 164a, which is associated with the control and user
interface 262, communicates with a remote companion wireless
interface 164b, which is associated with the control unit 250.
[0085] Although the present invention has been described with
respect to several exemplary embodiments, there are many other
variations of the above-described embodiments that will be apparent
to those skilled in the art, even where elements have not
explicitly been designated as exemplary. It is understood that
these modifications are within the teaching of the present
invention, which is to be limited only by the claims appended
hereto.
* * * * *